FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
 

Marshall journalism students receive WVPA awards, scholarships

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Students from Marshall University’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications were honored at the annual West Virginia Press Association meeting Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5 at Stonewall Jackson State Park.

Marshall students received five WVPA awards and three scholarships. The students competed in Division 3, the small daily newspaper division. Award winners were Chris Anastasia, graduate student, first place, sports columnist; Jessica Cox, May graduate, second place, best informational graphic, and third place, best lifestyle column; Grant Traylor, second place, sports writing, and Jason McClure, May graduate, third place, sports feature.

Scholarship winners were Traylor, $1,000, Roy Owens Memorial Scholarship; Ali McDonald, $1,000, Fourney Memorial Scholarship, and Mia McDonald, $1,000, Fourney Memorial Scholarship.

“We are very proud of our students,” Dr. Corley Dennison, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, said. “They competed against commercial newspapers, so these awards really show the level of professionalism and ability that our students possess.”

May graduate Jennifer Baileys also recently received a Hearst Award for her work in television news. Baileys placed in the top five in her division in April and was invited to take part in further competition in San Francisco, where she placed third.

“The Hearst Awards are very prestigious awards,” Dennison said. “The biggest schools and best programs in the nation compete for these awards, so this really speaks well for our program.”

For more information, persons may contact Dennison at (304) 696-2809.

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